Dr. Evans and Monique Class, A.P.R.N. are proud to announce the formation of The Center for Functional Medicine within the Center for Women’s Health. This new Center was created to accurately reflect the professional interest and expertise of Dr. Evans and Monique Class, A.P.R.N., both of whom are core faculty at The Institute for Functional Medicine. Monique Class, A.P.R.N. has lectured at their annual Clinical Symposium and lectures at the Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) physician training program, while Dr. Evans, in addition to lecturing at AFMCP, has been designated as the lead faculty member in the creation of the Advanced Practice Module in Hormonal Health, a required course for physician certification in Functional Medicine.HOW THIS IMPACTS YOU, OUR PATIENTS:Functional Medicine can best be defined as the science-based use of nutrition and supplements to restore optimal bodily function as a first step towards the improvement of symptoms and healthy aging. During our visits, patients are offered a more comprehensive assessment of their nutrient needs in order to identify any functional imbalances that may (now or in the future) impact their health. Since functional imbalances and nutrient deficiencies can present themselves along a continuum from annoying symptoms to severe life threatening illnesses, we believe that identifying and treating them before they manifest in severe illness is vitally important. Functional testing is the best way to diagnose functional imbalances, and we are pleased to offer our patients many of the tests that are gaining media attention. These tests include:

Heavy Metal Testing: A urine test that measure levels of metals such as mercury and lead which can lead to fatigue and many serious illnesses. Much has been in the news about the increased mercury levels in fish, and this test is important for anyone that eats a lot of fish (sushi), suffers from fatigue or other unexplained health issues.

Nutri-Genomics and Epi-Genetics: Following the completion of the Human Genome Project there were many expectations of how the understanding of our genetic code would impact healthcare. One of the major medical advances in this area has been in the areas of nutria-genomics and epi-genetics, where we now see that one of the fundamental medical tenets of the past, that genes equal destiny, is being rewritten. We now know that genes only give us predispositions to diseases, not the diseases themselves. The fields of nutrigenomics and epigenetics are proving that many of our genetic predispositions to disease can be changed through nutrition, lifestyle and proper vitamin supplementation such that the diseases themselves can be prevented or reversed. One area of nutria-genomics and epi-genetics that is very important to our patients involves the genetics of estrogen metabolism, where it has been shown that women with certain genes are at higher risk for breast cancer. The reason we encourage our patients to be tested for this gene is that women that test positive and have the genetic predisposition for breast cancer, nutrition and supplements can totally reverse the negative influence of the gene. This is a topic that holds special interest for Dr. Evans and is one that he frequently teaches to physicians. In fact, he even presented this information to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the hope of making this type of testing more available for women everywhere.

Food Sensitivity Testing: A simple blood test that identifies foods that irritate the gastrointestinal tract and stimulate the immune system in a harmful way. Because the gut is the largest immune organ in the body, irritations from these foods can play a role in the development of autoimmune disease (specifically thyroid disease) and depression.

We encourage you to take advantage of our functional medicine services, as many patients are now travelling long distances to see us since there is no one else in the tri-state area with our expertise and teaching experience in functional medicine.For more information on functional medicine CLICK HERE.

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